Jake Medlock had just thrown a 30-yard TD pass to Willis Wright to put the Golden Panthers up 30-27 with one minute left in the game when the Blue Raiders (4-2, 2-1 Sun Belt Conference) answered 24 seconds later on Watley's score.

Whatley helped set up his own game-winning score after FIU (1-6, 0-3) had taken the lead, returning the ensuing kickoff 43 yards to set up Middle Tennessee at the FIU 40-yard line in the game's final minute.

Benny Cunningham scored two touchdowns and rushed for a career-high 232 yards on 36 carries for the Blue Raiders, while Logan Kilgore threw for 267 yards and a touchdown.

Medlock was 24 of 38 for 380 yards with two touchdowns to lead the Golden Panthers.